Daily Focus, April 1, 2019

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”  James 4:8

Daily Bible Reading: Deuteronomy 14:1 – 15:23 (“For you are a people holy to the Lord your God, and the Lord has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.”)

This Week’s Memory Verse:So we do not lose heart.  Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”  2 Corinthians 4:16

Remember These In Prayer:

Dave Clark was admitted to Holston Valley Medical Center early this morning after falling at his home from dizziness late last night.  Initial tests have shown that he is in AFib, and doctors will make medication adjustments today to try to stabilize things.  Gay feels he will be hospitalized a couple of days, but asks that there be no visitors for now.  She would appreciate our prayers, of course.

Skylar Strong, daughter of Judy Strong, is scheduled to meet with specialists at the University of Kentucky Medical Center on April 11 to be evaluated for a kidney transplant.  Judy reported on Sunday that her blood levels are holding steady, but are of course lower than they should be.  Keep our young sister in your prayers.

The family of Ron Tester continues to mourn his passing on Friday, following a year-long battle with a brain tumor.  The family will receive friends this evening from 5:30 to 7:00 at the building of the Central Church of Christ, and a memorial service will follow at 7:00.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00 today at Washington County Memory Gardens.  Click here to see the obituary.  Pray for God’s peace to be upon Bandy and all of the family.

Paul Hamilton will undergo a heart ablation procedure on Tuesday at Johnson City Medical Center.  Say a prayer that all will go well.

Easton Forinash, 11-month-old cousin of Jacob Mahaley, was hospitalized on Thursday after suffering a seizure from a fever of 105 degrees.  On Friday he was diagnosed with viral pneumonia.  He was released on Sunday to go home, but still has a fever of 99 and is very sick.  Jacob asks that we pray for him.

Bobby Prosser, grandfather of Kristin England, is undergoing treatments in middle Tennessee for plasma cell leukemia.  Our prayers for health and strength have been requested for this brother in Christ.

Schedule Change: Monday Night For The Master will not meet this evening due to the memorial service for Ron Tester.  Plan to join us next Monday for this time of fellowship and service.

“Gene Arrowood Day”!!  At yesterday’s fellowship meal, Johnson City Mayor Jenny Brock read a proclamation announcing March 31 as “Gene Arrowood Day”.  This was in honor of his 90th birthday; Mayor Brock was a Science Hill High School classmate of Gene’s daughter Margaret.  Afterward Gene’s grandsons and great-grandchildren sang three songs in honor of his special day.  We are thankful for how the Lord has blessed Gene.

“Wholly Following God” is the theme of Central’s Ladies Day, scheduled for this coming Saturday, April 6.  97 women have registered so far!!  If you’ve not yet signed up, do it right now by going to this site.  You’ll also see the details of the activities for that morning.

“Out Of The Darkness” is the theme for a gala for Emmaus House, an outreach effort for older orphans of Haiti.  The gala is scheduled for this Saturday evening from 6 to 9 p.m., and will be held at The Side Porch.  To see more details and / or to purchase tickets, click here.  Jillian (Cromie) and Hunter Kittrell will host the event.

More SOS Bags Needed: This week we are making a major push to bring in the needed bags of cleaning  and personal hygiene supplies for our Streams of Sharing Event on Saturday, May 4.  Please do what you can to help us reach our goal; the list of needed items can be found in the bulletin.

In Charge Of My Thoughts:  *  “Drag your thoughts away from your troubles … by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it.”  (Mark Twain)  *  “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:4-7)